OiNK users arrested for allegedly sharing pre-release music

When the OiNK tracker was shutdown in 2007, a statement from British authorities appeared on the sites homepage saying they would be investigating the file-sharing case, and not anti-piracy agencies such as the RIAA, BPI, or IFPI. Until today though, no one has been charged with anything  not even OiNK founder and admin Alan Ellis.

Thats not to say the British police hasnt been working on the case, as six people have been recently arrested under suspicion of conspiracy to defraud the music industry, and more arrests seem likely. The individuals include five men aged between 19 and 33, and a 28-year-old woman, all of which are being accused of uploading pre-release music to the site and have been bailed without charge, pending further inquiries.

Apparently, those within the music industry consider leaking pre-release music a much more serious offense than sharing music that is already commercially available, even though there is no commercial gain for the user. Where all this will go is anyone's guess, but authorities and the music industry will likely want to make an example of both the website and its users.